Magena's story

When Magena looks at her newborn daughter the joy of motherhood is overwhelming.

“Gosh, the feeling is almost indescribable,” she says.

“She’s so beautiful, so tiny and delicate. I’m just so happy that I want to cry.”

Yet this catalyst of love and hope – born last week in Cairns Hospital – was also the trigger of the 20-year-old’s homelessness story.

Magena suffered a family breakdown when her parents learned of her pregnancy and she left home to spend months couch-surfing with other family and friends.

“I was in the first stages of my pregnancy and had no income so I couldn’t afford a place of my own,” she said.

“I stayed with friends and my extended family but the reality is they had their own families to look after.”

Already engaged with Wuchopperen Health Service’s antenatal programs, Magena was referred to Youth Link for help finding a place to stay.

She completed Youth Link’s pre-tenancy training, and, in time, a room became available at St Margaret’s Girls Crisis Shelter – a good outcome, but only a temporary solution for a young mum and her unborn bub.

“All three worked together to provide letters of support to assist me in getting Youth Allowance, and Youth Link worked with the Department (of Housing and Public Works) to find a secure place I could call home.”

The search was successful and today Magena’s home is a two bedroom unit that is safe, secure, and furnished with the essentials needed by both mother and daughter.

“It will be a happy home and I can’t wait to raise my daughter there.”

Magena said she was driven to succeed for her daughter.

“I want to be independent for her and to provide a safe and happy life for her,” she said.

“I’m studying a Diploma of Business Management and have been offered an internship at a local training organisation when I am ready to work.

“The help I have been given is such a blessing, but I also know I wouldn’t have gotten to this point if I didn’t put in the hard work, and I’m (committed) to working hard to provide the best life for me and my little girl.”